Above Tree-Line Torque: 2024 Acura Type S to Take On Pike’s Peak Challenge
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motorsports race in the nation. It takes place at one of the most breathtaking locations there is! Here brave drivers that are up for the challenge take a 12.42-mile trek up Pikes Peak Highway and try their hard-boiled hands at an astonishing adrenaline-laced 156 turns. The fun begins at 9,390 feet, and reaches its Grand Finale at the 14,115-foot summit.
2024 Acura Type S to Take On Pike’s Peak Challenge
Most amateurs would take about two or three hours to accomplish this with caution, and these bona fide experts do it in just 10 minutes flat! The current record is a jaw-dropping 07:57.148, which was set by Romain Dumas during the all-electric VW I.D. R Pikes Peak in 2018. This year’s race will feature 6th division including Unlimited, Time Attack, Open Wheel, and the exclusive All-Porsche contenders. Acura has seen its models as participants in this annual event for the past 12 years.
The risky and pavement-crunching race to the clouds:
The brand-new 2024 Acura Integra Type S will see its chance to race to the clouds with three other models from the brand’s lineup joining it in full-on daredevil mode. This specially prepared version of the Integra Type S is set to compete in the Exhibition division, as a hot hatch seeing the upgrade of a unique new hood. Assisting it during the very picturesque climb is a Borla exhaust and 19-inch Titan Wheels wrapped with Yokohama Advan A005 tires.
Loni Unser will be the lucky (and daring!) driver of the Honda Performance Development Integra Type S during this year’s Pike’s Peak extravaganza. Already an illustrated icon among diehard performance enthusiasts, the Acura Integra Type S is returning for 2024 after a hiatus. It’s a very track-focused sport compact, praised by many for its close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Even before intense modification for Pike’s Peak, it smartly boasts a lightweight flywheel that is the ingredient for its lightning-fast rev characteristic.
Why the 2024 Acura type S is no stranger to “inclines 101”:
The Type S has a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio of just 10.1 pounds per horsepower. The exhaust has 3 unique outlets, and is sport-tuned to offer up the trademark pops and stutters that drift fans worldwide are constantly seeking to achieve. Functional aerodynamics help keep the Integra Type S firmly rooted at high speeds and during cornering. Another element that will be appreciated by Loni during the Pikes Peak run is the rear diffuser, serving up extra downforce and lift reduction.
The regular Acura Integra Hatchback will also be joining in the death-defying fun, with an expert build provided the the Honda of America Racing Team. This model’s suspension is enhanced with a sweet kit courtesy of HPD. Paired along with high-altitude ready Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs. A Cusco Racing limited-slip differential and HPD billet engine mounts are thrown into this Colorado-conquering package. In addition to forged 18-inch HRE wheels and Yokohama Advan A005 rubber.
The additional mountainside mauler:
Pikes Peak will also have another HART-built Acura driven by A-list engineer Jordan Guitar blasting up its peaks this year! This awe-inspiring number is a TLX Type S with a heavily upgraded 3.0-liter V6. The model flexes its muscles with a larger turbo and greatly improved cooling ability as well. Altogether, the entire peak-prone package is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and super-handling all-wheel drive system.
The suspension has been meticulously lowered one inch. As a result, stopping on a dime will be a snap for this daring driver due to its 1-inch, race-compound brake pads. 600 pounds were dropped to aid with this epic continuous climb. And 19-inch HRE wheels along with Yokohama Advan A005 tires are just a few other rich deal sweeteners. Custom carbon fiber bodywork graces the front and rear of the NSX Type S. This design rounds things off nicely with a very chiseled and arrow-like shape.
A Yonder Mountain yodeling “Yamabiko”:
A very unique skunksworks division of HART called Crazy New is experimenting this year with begins with a 2022 NSX Type S as the foundation for a unique effort. The focus is on massive aerodynamic performance, with this entrant suiting up in custom carbon-fiber bodywork that masterfully reduces drag. There’s also a custom rear wing that can actively adjust itself at very high speeds. Or even whip up an air brake to aid in the slowing process.
This hyper-drive prepped and mountain-melee-ready piece of wizardry is nicknamed “Yamabiko”, after a Japanese god that rules from high peaks. Behind the wheel this year will be Honda engineer James Robinson, competing in the Time Attack 1 division. Created inside the Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO) facility, the world’s most advanced wind tunnel had a hand in its perfection. Robinson drove the NSX to claim the current Hybrid Fuel Class Record in 2020. Nonetheless proving wholeheartedly that a petrol-driven headmaster of sorts will be at the helm.
Ramblin’ Rover, come over! See you at the Peak!
This exciting 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will fire up on June 25, 2023. The pace car for this year’s event with be the Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition, driven by IndyCar legend David Malukas. There’s also a very cool Hill Climb Fan Fest that takes place in downtown Colorado Springs, spanning ten city blocks. Here you can check out driver meet-and-greets, stunt performances, vendor booths, and other fun entertainment for the whole family. In any scenario, you’re bound to have a good time or at least meet another auto enthusiast or two. And of course, see the Acura Type S in fast action!
So do you think that these supercharged and climb-ready Acuras are fierce enough to conquer the peak? Let us know in the comments below or check out another article about the performance scale-tipping Integra.
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